Slide frame palette

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic container includes a frame, at least one tray releasably secured to the frame, and a lid coupled to each tray. The at least one tray may have an outer wall and bottom surface defining a cavity for holding a cosmetic product, and a base extending from the bottom surface. The base may be configured to be releasably secured within the recess of the frame. The trays may be removable, replaceable, and/or interchangeable to provide an interchangeable palette.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/757,986, filed on Nov. 9, 2018, titled SLIDE FRAME PALETTE, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Numerous types of containers such as compacts and palettes are available for cosmetic products. Such containers hold products in a useable form such as powder, cream, paste, etc., with various designs to allow a user access to the products. New and alternative approaches to such devices are desired.

SUMMARY

This disclosure provides designs, material, manufacturing methods, and use alternatives for cosmetic packaging.

In a first non-limiting example, a cosmetic container comprises a frame defining a recess, at least one tray releasably secured to the frame, the at least one tray having an outer wall and bottom surface defining a cavity for holding a cosmetic product, the at least one tray having a base extending from the bottom surface, the base configured to be releasably secured within the recess of the frame, and a lid configured to be coupled to each tray in an orientation to cover the cavity.

Additionally or alternatively, the frame has a front wall, an opposing rear wall, and opposing first and second side walls connecting the front and rear walls, each of the front wall, rear wall, first side wall, and second side wall having an upper surface, wherein when the at least one tray is secured within the recess of the frame, the bottom surface of the at least one tray is in direct contact with the upper surface of at least one of the front wall, rear wall, first side wall, and second side wall of the frame.

Additionally or alternatively, the front wall, rear wall, first side wall, and second side wall of the frame each define a portion of a channel extending around an entirety of an inner surface of the frame.

Additionally or alternatively, the base of the at least one tray includes at least one protrusion configured to slidingly engage the channel.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one tray comprises a plurality of trays each having a front, wherein at least one of the plurality of trays is releasably securable to the frame with the front of the tray aligned with any one of the front wall, rear wall, first side wall, or second side wall.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one protrusion includes four protrusions each engageable to one portion of the channel, wherein each tray is secured to the frame by at least one protrusion.

Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of trays includes trays of different shapes and/or sizes.

Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of trays are configured to be repositionable within the frame.

Additionally or alternatively, when the plurality of trays are secured to the frame, an outer surface of the outer wall of each of the plurality of trays is vertically flush with an outer surface of one of the front, rear, first side, and second side walls of the frame.

Additionally or alternatively, the first side wall is pivotably connected to the rear wall such that the first side wall is pivotable from a closed position substantially perpendicular to the rear wall to an open position rotated at least 90 degrees from the closed position.

Additionally or alternatively, the first side wall has a first end pivotably connected to the rear wall and a second end releasably secured to the front wall.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one tray is inserted into or removed from the frame by pivoting the first side wall into the open position, sliding the base of the at least one tray into the channel, and then pivoting the first side wall into the closed position and securing the second end of the first side wall to the front wall.

Additionally or alternatively, each tray is removable and insertable into the frame when its lid is in a closed position and an open position.

In a second non-limiting example, a cosmetic container comprises a frame having a front wall, an opposing rear wall, a first side wall, and an opposing second side wall, all defining a portion of a channel extending around an entirety of an inner surface of the frame, and a plurality of trays releasably secured to the frame, each tray having an outer wall and a bottom surface defining a cavity for holding a cosmetic product, each tray having a base extending from the bottom surface, the base configured to be releasably secured within the channel of the frame, each tray having a front, wherein at least one of the plurality of trays is releasably securable to the frame with the front of the tray aligned with any one of the front wall, rear wall, first side wall, or second side wall.

Additionally or alternatively, the base of each tray includes at least one protrusion configured to slidingly engage the channel.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one protrusion includes four protrusions each engageable to one portion of the channel, wherein each tray is secured to the frame by at least one protrusion.

Additionally or alternatively, the first side wall has a first end pivotably connected to the rear wall and a second end releasably secured to the front wall, wherein the first side wall is pivotable from a closed position substantially perpendicular to the rear wall to an open position rotated at least 90 degrees from the closed position.

Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of trays are inserted into or removed from the frame by pivoting the first side wall into the open position, sliding the base of each tray into the channel, and then pivoting the first side wall into the closed position and securing the second end of the first side wall to the front wall.

Additionally or alternatively, the cosmetic container further comprises a plurality of lids, one lid rotatably coupled to each of the plurality of trays, wherein the plurality of trays are insertable and removable from the tray with their lids in a closed position and an open position.

In a third non-limiting example, a cosmetic container comprises a frame having a perimeter wall defining a recess, an inner surface of the perimeter wall defining a channel extending around an entirety of the inner surface, and a plurality of trays releasably secured to the frame, each tray having an outer wall and a bottom surface defining a cavity for holding a cosmetic product, each tray having a base extending from the bottom surface, the base configured to be releasably secured within the channel of the frame, wherein when the plurality of trays are secured to the frame, an outer surface of the outer wall of each of the trays is vertically flush with an outer surface of the perimeter wall of the frame.

The above summary of some example embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The Figures, and Detailed Description, which follow, more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document. Included in the drawings are the following Figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of an illustrative cosmetic container;

FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the illustrative cosmetic container of FIG. 1 with two lids in an open configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of some of the elements of the illustrative cosmetic container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of an illustrative frame from the cosmetic container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of two illustrative trays from the cosmetic container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective side view of an illustrative frame and three trays from the cosmetic container of FIG. 1 with a side wall of the frame in an open configuration; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description should be read with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views. The description and drawings show several embodiments which are meant to be illustrative in nature.

For convenience, the present disclosure may be described using relative terms including, for example, left, right, top, bottom, front, back, upper, lower, up, and down, as well as others. It is to be understood that these terms are merely used for illustrative purposes and are not meant to be limiting in any manner.

All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about,” whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, the terms “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

It is noted that references in the specification to “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “other embodiments”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include one or more particular features, structures, and/or characteristics. However, such recitations do not necessarily mean that all embodiments include the particular features, structures, and/or characteristics. Additionally, when particular features, structures, and/or characteristics are described in connection with one embodiment, it should be understood that such features, structures, and/or characteristics may also be used connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described unless clearly stated to the contrary.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary slide frame palette or cosmetic container 10 in a closed configuration. The cosmetic container 10 may be interchangeable in that the cosmetics retained within the container 10 can be easily removed and inserted by the user and in any arrangement, as desired. As shown in FIG. 1, the cosmetic container 10 may include a frame 20, a plurality of trays 30 a, 30 b (collectively 30) and lids 32 a, 32 b (collectively 32) coupled to each tray 30. The plurality of trays 30 may include trays of different shapes and/or sizes. The trays 30 are configured to be inserted, repositioned, and removed from the frame 20. The trays 30 may be inserted into the frame 20 facing any direction, as shown with the left three trays 30 facing forward and the right two trays 30 facing leftward. The cosmetic container 10 may have a generally rectangular shape, as illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the cosmetic container 10 may take any shaped desired, including, but not limited to, square, triangular, polygonal, etc.

In some examples, the cosmetic container 10 and/or the various components thereof may be made from a rigid material (e.g., acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, thermoplastics, other polymers, glass, metal, alloy, wood, and the like). Other examples may, however, include containers 10 made from a flexible or semi-rigid material, such as plastic. In some embodiments, the lids 32 may comprise a transparent or translucent material so that the cosmetic product within may be externally viewed.

The lids 32 may be configured to be coupled to each tray 30 in an orientation to cover the trays 30. The lids 32 may be pivotably coupled to each tray 30. For example, the lids 32 can be rotated open to expose a mirror 16 affixed to the underside of the lid, as shown in FIG. 2. In other examples, the lids 32 may be completely separate from the trays 30 and selectively coupled to the trays 30 with a magnetic closure, snap fit, or friction fit. Each of the plurality of trays 30 may include one or more fill puck 40 a (40 b shown in FIG. 3; collectively 40). The fill pucks 40 may be configured to receive a cosmetic product, such as, but not limited to loose powders (e.g., for eye, cheek, face, and the like), pressed powders (e.g., for eye, cheek, face, and the like), creams (e.g., skincare, eye, foundation, and the like), sunscreen, hot pour products (e.g., lipsticks, glosses, and the like), touchup, spot cover, baked powders, pastes, moisturizers, hair creams, gels, serums, and the like. Alternatively, the cosmetic product may be deposited directly into the trays 30. In some examples, one or more tray 30 may be devoid of cosmetic product, with the cavity 31 of the tray 30 empty and configured to receive a cosmetic implement, as shown with tray 30 b in FIG. 2. Some illustrative implements may include but are not limited to an applicator with a handle, an applicator without a handle, a stencil (e.g., a brow stencil), tweezers, a brush with or without a handle, a sponge with or without a handle, a pencil, a vial, a lipstick, etc.

The plurality of trays 30 may be attached to the frame 20 in any one of a plurality of orientations. As shown in FIG. 2, the front of tray 30 a and the two adjacent trays 30 b face forward while the leftmost two trays 30 b face toward the right. Regardless of the orientation of the tray 30, the lid 32 will open and close to access the product.

The trays 30 and/or fill pucks 40 may have various sizes and shapes. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the container 10 contains one large square tray 30 a holding a single large square fill puck 40 a, and four small rectangular trays 30 b, each holding a small fill puck 40 b. It is contemplated that the trays 30 and/or fill pucks 40 may have differing sizes and/or a different number of trays 30 and/or fill pucks 40 may be provided in the container 10. For example, a single tray 30 may fill the entire container 10, or multiple trays of varying sizes may be provided. The cosmetic container 10 may be provided with a large array of tray sizes and placement configurations. Tray widths may be as desired. For example, the large square tray 30 a may have a structure that is essentially a duplicate of two small rectangular trays 30 b joined together. Alternatively, two small square trays (not shown) may have a structure sized and shape to fill the space of the illustrated small rectangular tray 30 b. The fill pucks 40 may be sized and shaped to generally fill their respective tray 30, although this is not required, and in other examples, each tray 30 may contain two or more fill pucks 40.

In the exploded view of the elements of the cosmetic container shown in FIG. 3, the mirrors 16 attached to the underside of the lids 32 (as seen in FIG. 2) are not shown for simplicity. The lids 32 may be attached to hinges 33 on the trays 30. The trays 30 may include a slot 34 in the front wall thereof into which a protrusion 36 on the lid 32 may be inserted to close the tray 30. In some examples, the protrusion 36 may engage the slot 34 with a friction fit or a snap fit. In other examples, magnets may be disposed on the protrusion 36 and slot 34 for a magnetic engagement. The slot 34 and protrusion 36 closing mechanism allows the lid 32 to be closed and opened even when the front of the tray 30 abuts a side wall of another tray, as in the right-most trays 30 b shown in FIG. 2.

In some examples, the trays 30 may include holders 50 a, 50 b (collectively 50) to which the fill pucks 40 may be attached. The holders 50 may or may not have a bottom. In some examples, the holders 50 allow for used fill pucks 40 to be removed from a tray 30 and be replaced with a new fill puck 40. In some examples, the fill pucks 40 may be attached to the holders 50 with adhesive. The holders 50 are then inserted into the trays 30. In other examples, the fill puck 40 may be placed directly into the cavity 31 of the tray 30.

The frame 20 may include a front wall 22, an opposing rear wall 24, a first side wall 26, and an opposing second side wall 28, all defining a perimeter wall of the frame 20. The first and second side walls 26, 28 connect the front wall 22 to the rear wall 24. Each tray 30 is releasably securable to the frame 20 with the front of the tray 30 aligned with any one of the front wall 22, rear wall 24, first side wall 26, or second side wall 28. A first end 25 of the first side wall 26 may be pivotably connected to the rear wall 24, and a second end 27 of the first side wall 26 may have a connection mechanism 29 configured to releasably connect to the front wall 22. The frame 20 defines a recess 21 configured to hold the trays 30 and their associated fill pucks 40, holders 50, and lids 32.

FIG. 4 illustrates the features of the frame 20. A channel 23 may be defined along each of the front wall 22, rear wall 24, first side wall 26, and second side wall 28. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the channel 23 is an angled channel. The first side wall 26 may have a cut-out 39 in a bottom surface thereof, providing a gripping area for the user to pivot the first side wall 26 between the open and closed configurations while the frame 20 is filled with trays 30. The upper surface 35 of the frame 20 is configured to engage the bottom of the trays 30, as will be discussed in detail below.

Each tray 30 a, 30 b may have a base 60 a, 60 b (collectively 60) extending downward from the bottom surface 37 a, 37 b (collectively 37) of the tray 30, as shown in FIG. 5. The base 60 is configured to be releasably secured within the recess 21 of the frame 20. In some examples, the base 60 may have at least one protrusion 62 configured to slidingly engage the channel 23 of the frame 20. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the protrusion 62 includes four angled protrusions, each engageable to one portion of the angled channel 23 such that each tray 30 is secured to the frame 20 by at least one protrusion 62. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the large square tray 30 a is secured by three protrusions 62 engaging the channel 23 along the front, rear, and second side wall of the frame 20. The middle rectangular trays 30 b are secured by two protrusion engaging the channel along the front and rear walls of the frame 20, and the right-most rectangular trays 30 b are secured by two protrusions engaging the channel along the first side wall and along the front or rear wall of the frame 20.

The first side wall 26 of the frame 20 may be pivotably connected to the rear wall 24 such that the first side wall 26 is pivotable from a closed position substantially perpendicular to the rear wall 24, as shown in FIG. 1, to an open position rotated at least 90 degrees from the closed position, as shown in FIG. 6. The trays 30 are inserted into or removed from the frame 20 by pivoting the first side wall 26 into the open position, and sliding the base 60 of each tray 30 into the recess 21, with the protrusion 62 engaging the channel 23. The bottom surface 37 of each of the trays 30 is in direct contact with the upper surface 35 of the frame 20. When the trays 30 are secured to the frame 20, an outer surface 66 of the outer wall of each of the plurality of trays 30 is vertically flush with an outer surface 68 of one of the front, rear, first side, and second side walls of the frame 20. Once the frame 20 is filled with trays 30, the first side wall 26 is pivoted into the closed position, with the second end 27 of the first side wall 26 secured to the front wall 22. In some examples, the second end 27 of the first side wall 26 may have a connection mechanism 29 configured to releasably connect to the front wall 22. The connection mechanism 29 may include a recess on the second end 27 of the first side wall 26 and a protrusion on an end of the front wall 22, or vice versa. In other examples, the second end 27 of the first side wall 26 and the end of the front wall 22 may each have a magnet, or the second end 27 engages the front wall 22 in a friction engagement. The trays 30 are removable and insertable into the frame 20 when the lids 32 connected to the trays 30 are in both the closed position and the open position.

The cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 7 illustrates how the protrusions 62 on the base 60 of the trays 30 engage the channel 23 of the frame 20. The figure also illustrates the outer surface 66 of the outer wall of each of the plurality of trays 30 and the outer surface 67 of the side of the lid 32 being vertically flush with the outer surface 68 of one of the front, rear, first side, and second side walls of the frame 20 when the trays 30 are engaged with the frame 20. This structure provides a uniform outer surface of the entire container 10.

Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention and that such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims be construed to cover all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cosmetic container comprising: a frame defining a recess; at least one tray releasably secured to the frame, the at least one tray having an outer wall and bottom surface defining a cavity for holding a cosmetic product, the at least one tray having a base extending from the bottom surface, the base configured to be releasably secured within the recess of the frame; and a lid configured to be coupled to each tray in an orientation to cover the cavity.
 2. The cosmetic container of claim 1, wherein the frame has a front wall, an opposing rear wall, and opposing first and second side walls connecting the front and rear walls, each of the front wall, rear wall, first side wall, and second side wall having an upper surface, wherein when the at least one tray is secured within the recess of the frame, the bottom surface of the at least one tray is in direct contact with the upper surface of at least one of the front wall, rear wall, first side wall, and second side wall of the frame.
 3. The cosmetic container of claim 2, wherein the front wall, rear wall, first side wall, and second side wall of the frame each define a portion of a channel extending around an entirety of an inner surface of the frame.
 4. The cosmetic container of claim 3, wherein the base of the at least one tray includes at least one protrusion configured to slidingly engage the channel.
 5. The cosmetic container of claim 4, wherein the at least one tray comprises a plurality of trays each having a front, wherein at least one of the plurality of trays is releasably securable to the frame with the front of the tray aligned with any one of the front wall, rear wall, first side wall, or second side wall.
 6. The cosmetic container of claim 5, wherein the at least one protrusion includes four protrusions each engageable to one portion of the channel, wherein each tray is secured to the frame by at least one protrusion.
 7. The cosmetic container of claim 5, wherein the plurality of trays includes trays of different shapes and/or sizes.
 8. The cosmetic container of claim 5, wherein the plurality of trays are configured to be repositionable within the frame.
 9. The cosmetic container of claim 5, wherein when the plurality of trays are secured to the frame, an outer surface of the outer wall of each of the plurality of trays is vertically flush with an outer surface of one of the front, rear, first side, and second side walls of the frame.
 10. The cosmetic container of claim 3, wherein the first side wall is pivotably connected to the rear wall such that the first side wall is pivotable from a closed position substantially perpendicular to the rear wall to an open position rotated at least 90 degrees from the closed position.
 11. The cosmetic container of claim 10, wherein the first side wall has a first end pivotably connected to the rear wall and a second end releasably secured to the front wall.
 12. The cosmetic container of claim 11, wherein the at least one tray is inserted into or removed from the frame by pivoting the first side wall into the open position, sliding the base of the at least one tray into the channel, and then pivoting the first side wall into the closed position and securing the second end of the first side wall to the front wall.
 13. The cosmetic container of claim 1, wherein each tray is removable and insertable into the frame when its lid is in a closed position and an open position.
 14. A cosmetic container comprising: a frame having a front wall, an opposing rear wall, a first side wall, and an opposing second side wall, all defining a portion of a channel extending around an entirety of an inner surface of the frame; and a plurality of trays releasably secured to the frame, each tray having an outer wall and a bottom surface defining a cavity for holding a cosmetic product, each tray having a base extending from the bottom surface, the base configured to be releasably secured within the channel of the frame, each tray having a front, wherein at least one of the plurality of trays is releasably securable to the frame with the front of the tray aligned with any one of the front wall, rear wall, first side wall, or second side wall.
 15. The cosmetic container of claim 14, wherein the base of each tray includes at least one protrusion configured to slidingly engage the channel.
 16. The cosmetic container of claim 15, wherein the at least one protrusion includes four protrusions each engageable to one portion of the channel, wherein each tray is secured to the frame by at least one protrusion.
 17. The cosmetic container of claim 14, wherein the first side wall has a first end pivotably connected to the rear wall and a second end releasably secured to the front wall, wherein the first side wall is pivotable from a closed position substantially perpendicular to the rear wall to an open position rotated at least 90 degrees from the closed position.
 18. The cosmetic container of claim 17, wherein the plurality of trays are inserted into or removed from the frame by pivoting the first side wall into the open position, sliding the base of each tray into the channel, and then pivoting the first side wall into the closed position and securing the second end of the first side wall to the front wall.
 19. The cosmetic container of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of lids, one lid rotatably coupled to each of the plurality of trays, wherein the plurality of trays are insertable and removable from the tray with their lids in a closed position and an open position.
 20. A cosmetic container comprising: a frame having a perimeter wall defining a recess, an inner surface of the perimeter wall defining a channel extending around an entirety of the inner surface; and a plurality of trays releasably secured to the frame, each tray having an outer wall and a bottom surface defining a cavity for holding a cosmetic product, each tray having a base extending from the bottom surface, the base configured to be releasably secured within the channel of the frame, wherein when the plurality of trays are secured to the frame, an outer surface of the outer wall of each of the trays is vertically flush with an outer surface of the perimeter wall of the frame. 